Bitlocker Drive Encryption

Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption is a full disk encryption feature included with the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows 7 desktop operating systems, as well as the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 server platforms.

BitLocker prevents a thief who boots another operating system or runs a software hacking tool from breaking Windows Vista/Windows 7 file and system protections or performing offline viewing of the files stored on the protected drive..

So What Is BitLocker?

BitLocker enhances PC and Laptop data protection by using:

#1 - Drive encryption

Drive encryption protects data by preventing unauthorized users from breaking Windows file and system protection on lost, stolen or inappropriately decommissioned computers. This protection is achieved by encrypting the entire Windows volume; with Microsoft BitLocker all user and system files are encrypted including the swap and hibernation files.

#2 - Integrity checking of early boot components

Integrity checking the early boot components helps to ensure that data decryption is performed only if those components appear unmolested and that the encrypted drive is located in the original computer.

BitLocker protection on operating system drives supports two-factor authentication by using a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) along with a personal identification number (PIN) or startup key as well as single-factor authentication by storing a key on a USB flash drive or just using the TPM. Using BitLocker with a TPM provides enhanced protection for your data and helps assure early boot component integrity. This option requires that the computer have a compatible TPM microchip and BIOS. A compatible TPM is defined as a version 1.2 TPM.

A compatible BIOS must support the TPM and the Static Root of Trust Measurement as defined by the Trusted Computing Group. For more information about TPM specifications, visit the TPM Specifications section of the Trusted Computing Group Web site.

The TPM interacts with BitLocker operating system drive protection to help provide protection at system startup. This is not visible to the user, and the user logon experience is unchanged. However, if the startup information has changed, BitLocker will enter recovery mode, and you will need a recovery password or recovery key to regain access to the data.

Once BitLocker is turned on, any file you save on that drive is encrypted automatically.

So what is the Home user meant to do if they want disk drive encryption but do not have a hight end version of Windows 7 ?

A Trusted 3rd Party Disk Drive Encryption Software Application

ZoneAlarm: DataLock

Automatically encrypts all hard drive contents, including the operating system, system files and temporary and erased files. All logical partitions are boot-protected and encrypted, sector-by-sector. As a result, attempts to copy individual files, or introduce rogue programs for brute force attacks, are made impossible - even if the hard drive is physically transferred to another computer.

According to John Gable, Director of Product Management, internal studies show the tool has almost no impact on performance!

More information here: www.win7articles.com/ZoneAlarm

System Requirements for ZoneAlarm DataLock:

- A Laptop or PC with ability to write to a USB stick or CD.
- ANY version of Windows 7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
- 2 GB RAM
- 2 GHz or faster processor
- 175MB of available hard-disk space

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